2006 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings

Based on a combined touchdown/yardage scoring system

1. Neil Rackers, Arizona

The difference between kickers generally amounts to nothing. A handful stand out from the pack and as a result, command a little more attention. Rackers is that type of kicker. Not only does he play for one of the NFL’s more potent offenses, he’s deadly from long distance, connecting on 11 field-goal attempts of more than 50 yards over the last two years. After missing just two of his three-pointers in 2005 and setting a record for most conversions (40), Rackers is the easy choice to headline his position.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Arizona 22 29 28 28 94

05 Arizona 40 42 20 20 140

2. Adam Vinatieri, Indianapolis

Vinatieri moving to Indianapolis is nearly as devastating for New England fans as Big Papi playing for the Yankees. These things just aren’t supposed to happen. But they do, and the move is a good one for Vinatieri. Playing indoors on the turf of the RCA Dome can only help boost the numbers of the ultra-accurate veteran, who’s hit triple digits in scoring in all of his 10 seasons. Reliable, consistent and now playing for a high-scoring offense, it’s impossible to go wrong here.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 New England 31 33 48 48 141

05 New England 20 25 40 41 100

3. Jason Elam, Denver

Perhaps the best player to compare Elam to is his teammate, Rod Smith. Father Time hasn’t tackled Elam yet, even if he has robbed the 14-year veteran of some leg strength. Over the last five seasons, Elam has averaged 121.6 points and remains one of the elite kickers in the real or fantasy business. The Broncos offense hasn’t taken any steps backwards and neither has Elam.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Denver 29 34 42 42 129

05 Denver 24 32 43 44 115

4. Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland

A reach? Maybe, but so was the Raiders drafting of the big man in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. In much the same fashion as the rest of the team, Janikowski has been consistently inconsistent and at times downright awful. His 2005 performance is the perfect example. It’s tough to figure how he missed 10 attempts, but then again, it’s also tough to figure why he’s a kicker with a linebacker’s body, too. Somethings are just better left unexplained. Oakland’s revamped offense will lead to more points, better opportunities and an improved standing for Janikowski in the fantasy department.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Oakland 25 28 31 32 106

05 Oakland 20 30 30 30 90

5. David Akers, Philadelphia

Toughness isn’t a term often associated with kickers, but Akers earned the distinction after tearing his hamstring—and continuing to kick. In fact, he booted the game-winner against Oakland in Week 3 then collapsed to the field in agony. Taking one for the team is always a desirable trait in a football player, even if he then goes on to miss the next four weeks as Akers did. The injury certainly limited his attempts outside of 50 yards and may have contributed to his slip in accuracy. Expect a return to normalcy for Akers—120 points.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Philadelphia 27 32 41 42 122

05 Philadelphia 16 22 23 23 71

6. Jeff Reed, Pittsburgh

There’s nothing spectacular about Reed, he simply gets the job done. He just missed a second straight 120-point season, and only because the Steelers improved their touchdowns at the expense of field goals. The offense is armed with just one big threat in the passing game (Hines Ward) and still capable of playing the type of low-scoring, smash mouth football Bill Cowher loves.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Pittsburgh 28 33 40 40 124

05 Pittsburgh 24 29 45 45 117

7. Mike Vanderjagt, Dallas

It’s hard enough to fathom Terrell Owens existing in the same clubhouse as Bill Parcells for 16 games. Add the outspoken Vanderjagt to the mix and Dallas could be a powder keg just waiting for a spark. Still among the best in the business, he offers stability at a position of need for the Cowboys, who have long suffered through inconsistent kickers. A 120-point season is all but assured in what promises to be a strong Dallas offense. If there’s anything to negatively impact the move for Vanderjagt, it’s losing the perfect conditions of the RCA Dome.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Indianapolis 20 25 59 60 119

05 Indianapolis 23 25 52 52 121

8. Shayne Graham, Cincinnati

Sometimes it’s tough to go against the grain, other times it’s not. Graham has experienced a gradual climb up the fantasy ladder, improving in each of his first three seasons and following the ascent of Cincinnati’s entire offense. The only problem is, he doesn’t do much in the long-distance department, connecting on just three from beyond 50 yards in his entire career, and all were in 2004.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Cincinnati 27 31 41 41 122

05 Cincinnati 28 32 47 47 131

9. Josh Brown, Seattle

Nearly one-third of Brown’s field goals (5 of 18) came from better than 50 yards. A great ratio by any standard, but bear in mind, the 18 conversions were good for 29th place among kickers. Brown spent far too much time kicking extra points (56 of them) to get opportunities for three-pointers. Expect more of the same as the Seahawks will remain one of the highest-scoring teams around.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Seattle 23 25 40 40 109

05 Seattle 18 25 56 57 110

11. Jeff Wilkins, St. Louis

Wilkins seems to perform better in odd-numbered years than those with even numbers. In 2001, ’03 and ’05 he netted the following point totals (127, 163, 117). In 2002 and ’04, he managed just 94 and 89 points, respectively. Why the significant difference? Who knows, but the pattern is quite obvious. The same ailment followed the Royals Brett Saberhagen during the mid-1980s. New head coach Sean Linehan’s offense will be built for big plays and /big scores, not field goals.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 St. Louis 19 24 32 32 89

05 St. Louis 27 31 36 36 117

12. Ryan Longwell, Minnesota

Longwell made an excellent career move even if it meant moving to his former arch-rivals. Ditching the poor weather of Green Bay for the comfortable conditions of the Metrodome only serve to keep Longwell as a solid fantasy kicker. His string of eight 100-point seasons came to an end in 2005 more because of the Brett Favre’s interceptions and overall play by Green Bay than anything else. Where Jeff Wilkins will suffer from the Rams’ big plays, Longwell could benefit from a Vikings offense in transition.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Green Bay 24 28 48 48 120

05 Green Bay 20 27 30 31 90

13. Matt Stover, Baltimore

Stover has been a fantasy goldmine since the 1990s, and there’s no real reason to forecast a major drop-off, if any, in production. He’s converted 92 of his 104 field-goal attempts (88.5 percent) over the last three seasons and is one of the most reliable kickers in fantasy football history. Over the last five years Stover’s had at least 30 field goals three times.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 Baltimore 29 32 30 30 117

05 Baltimore 30 34 23 23 113

14. Nate Kaeding, San Diego

Solid, yet not spectacular, Kaeding is an excellent second kicker or bye-week fill-in. He won’t kill your team with missed field-goal attempts and has the leg strength to convert the longer kicks. In two years, Kaeding has connected on 8 of 11 tries from better than 40 yards last year and should get some more opportunities at the 50-yarders. The offense is no sure bet to approach the 50-touchdown mark under Philip Rivers, and that should put Kaeding in a position to improve his numbers.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

04 San Diego 20 25 54 55 114

05 San Diego 21 24 49 49 112

15. Mike Nugent, N.Y. Jets

It’s hard to find fault with Nugent’s rookie campaign. The Jets don’t have an offense that’s going to set the field on fire, so it’s likely field-goal attempts will be in greater supply than extra points. Though Nugent missed both chances from 50 yards or longer, he was known as a money kicker with a strong leg at Ohio State. Those qualities don’t often disappear overnight. Whether it’s Chad Pennington, Patrick Ramsey or Kellen Clemens under center doesn’t matter. Nugent is around to answer the bell.

YR TEAM FGM FGA XPM XPA PTS

05 N.Y. Jets 22 28 24 24 90

Best of the Rest…

16. Rian Lindell, Buffalo

Despite the weather conditions, Lindell has converted 70 of 87 field-goal attempts (80.5 percent) in three seasons with the Bills.

17. Kris Brown, Houston

18. Lawrence Tynes, Kansas City

More than just an extra point machine, he nailed 27 field goals last season.

19. Josh Scobee, Jacksonville

Big-time leg guarantees he’ll stick around.

20. Jay Feely, N.Y. Giants

Down the road, the swirling winds of Giants Stadium will prevent Feely from duplicating his career year. Feely finished second in the NFL with 35 field goals last season.

21. John Kasay, Carolina

Neither age, nor creaky knees can keep Kasay from another 100-point season.

22. Olindo Mare, Miami

23. Matt Bryant, Tampa Bay

24. Stephen Gostkowski, New England

Bill Belichick’s stamp of approval should be good enough for anyone.

25. John Hall, Washington

Steve Siniski is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers’ Association.